Glossary

Active X/OCX (OLE Control eXtension)

Microsoft technology intended for developers and created to be able to extend the capabilities and functions of an application. ActiveX is not a programming language, but an extension that, when integrated into an application prepared to use this technology, makes it possible to add new capabilities, commands, and possibly simplify certain processes, especially in the area of software development. Now in disuse thanks to the advent of HTML5 technology

Alarm

Attention-worthy condition in which the system is placed. Tracked by the SCADA system

Alarm Acknowledgment

The process by which operators confirm that they have seen and taken action on an alarm displayed on the HMI.

Alarm Management

The process of monitoring and managing alarms generated by the SCADA system to ensure timely response to critical events.

API (Application Programming Interface)

Denotes a set of procedures (usually grouped by specific tools) designed to solve a specific communication problem between different computers or between different software or between different software components.

Asset

Anything owned by a company (machinery, goods, etc.) that can be monetized and thus used to pay debts.

ATEX Directive

European regulations for equipment used in explosive atmospheres, ensuring safety in potentially hazardous industrial environments.

Augmented Reality (AR)

Technology that overlays digital information onto the physical world, providing enhanced visualization and guidance in industrial settings.

AWL

Programming language developed by Siemens. It is used in industrial automation in s7-200, s7-300, s7-400 PLCs, and Siemens-compatible PLCs such as VIPA.

Batch Control

A system for managing and controlling the production of batches in manufacturing processes.

Batch Processing

The execution of a series of manufacturing or chemical processes in a specific sequence or order.

CAD (Computer-Aided Design)

Software used in industrial automation for designing and modeling products and systems.

CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing)

Software that assists in the automation of manufacturing processes, including CNC machining and robotic programming.

Chart

Type of diagram used to display the trend of a variable

Client

Any software component that accesses the services or resources of another component (server) through the use of certain communication protocols

CNC (Computer Numerical Control)

Automation of machine tools and 3D printers by means of computer commands.

Cobot (Collaborative Robot)

A robot designed to work alongside humans in a shared workspace, often used for tasks such as assembly or inspection.

CSV (Comma-Separated Values)

Text-based file format used for importing and exporting a table of data. In this format, each table row (or database record) is normally represented by a line of text, which in turn is divided into fields (the individual columns) separated by an appropriate separator character, each of which represents a value.

Datalogging

The process of recording and storing data from industrial processes for analysis, troubleshooting, and compliance purposes.

DCS (Distributed Control System)

A control system that is distributed throughout a manufacturing facility, often used in large-scale industrial processes.

Digital Twin

A virtual representation of a physical object or system, used for simulation, analysis, and monitoring in industrial automation.

Energy Management System (EMS)

Software and hardware solutions for optimizing energy consumption in industrial facilities.

Ethernet/IP

An industrial network protocol that uses standard Ethernet communication for real-time control and information exchange.

Event

Phenomenon tracked by the system that does not fall into the category of alarms (e.g., User Authentication).

FBD (Function Block Diagram)

Graphically oriented programming language. It is based on a series of networks, each of which contains a graphical structure consisting of modules and connection lines representing a logical or arithmetic expression, a function block call, a jump, or a return instruction.

FDA 21 CFR Part 11

Legislation that aims to achieve legal equivalence of electronic documents (digital records and electronic signature) to traditional paper documents

Fieldbus

A communication system used in industrial automation to connect field devices such as sensors, actuators, and controllers.

Gauge

Instrument that measures and displays the quantity, level, or content of something.

Geo Scada

Technology that allows maps to be used on SCADA systems.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

The visual representation of data and controls presented to operators in an HMI for easy interaction.

Historical Data

Recorded and stored data over time, used for analysis, reporting, and trending within a SCADA system.

HMI (Human Machine Interface)

A device or software application that presents information to an operator and allows them to interact with the industrial system.

Human-in-the-Loop (HITL)

A concept where human operators play an active role in decision-making based on information provided by the SCADA system.

IL (Instruction List)

IEC 61131-3 conformal programming language similar to Assembler. This language supports accumulator-based programming. IEC 61131-3 operators, multiple inputs and outputs, negations, comments, setting and restoring outputs, and conditional and unconditional jumps are supported.

Industrial Communication Protocols

Standards for data exchange between industrial devices and systems, such as Modbus, Profibus, and Ethernet/IP.

IO (Input/Output)

The connection points or interfaces through which data is transferred between a PLC or controller and external devices.

IOT (Internet of Things)

The interconnection of everyday devices, enabling them to send and receive data, often applied in industrial settings for monitoring and control.

IP Camera

Type of video camera that generates a video signal in digitized, format-ready form for direct transmission over a data network, without the need for analog-to-digital conversion, and capable of being controlled directly via the data network itself.

ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

The world's leading standards organization, based in Geneva, which issues technical standards for almost all areas of technology except telecommunications.

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)

Data exchange format based on the JavaScript programming language. Used in web programming as an alternative to XML format.

Kaizen

A Japanese term for continuous improvement, often applied in industrial settings to enhance efficiency and quality.

LD (Ladder Diagram)

Graphical programming aid for discrete-type programmable logic controllers (PLCs), which has now become the standard programming language.

LEAN Manufacturing

A production practice that considers the expenditure of resources in any aspect other than the direct manufacturing of goods to be wasteful and thus a target for elimination.

M2M (Machine-to-Machine)

Direct communication between devices, enabling them to exchange data and perform actions without human intervention.

Markup Language

A language based on a syntactic mechanism for defining and controlling the meaning of elements contained in a document or text.

MES (Manufacturing Execution System)

Software that manages and controls production operations on the shop floor, integrating with other enterprise systems.

Message Broker

Responsible for distributing messages to recipient clients in the publish-subscribe pattern, as in the MQTT protocol.

Motion Control

The use of automation technology to control the movement of machines and mechanisms, often involving servo motors and precise positioning.

MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport)

ISO standard lightweight publish-subscribe messaging protocol positioned on top of TCP/IP. It is designed for situations where low energy is required and where bandwidth is limited. The publish-subscribe pattern requires a messaging broker. The broker is responsible for distributing messages to recipient clients.

OPC (OLE for Process Control)

A standard for connecting different automation devices and systems in industrial automation.

OPC UA (OPC Unified Archiecture)

Released in 2008, is a platform independent service-oriented architecture that integrates all the functionality of the individual OPC Classic specifications into one extensible framework. This multi-layered approach accomplishes the original design specification goals of Functional equivalence, Platform independence, Secure, Extensible, Comprehensive information modeling

PID Controller (Proportional-Integral-Derivative Controller)

A control loop feedback mechanism used in industrial control systems to maintain a process variable at a setpoint.

PLC (Programmable Logic Controller)

A ruggedized computer used for industrial control systems to automate processes, such as assembly lines and machinery.

PLM (Product Lifecycle Management)

Software that manages the entire lifecycle of a product, from conceptualization and design to manufacturing and maintenance.

Predictive Maintenance

Using data and analytics to predict when equipment will fail and scheduling maintenance proactively.

Quality Control Systems

Systems and processes designed to monitor and ensure the quality of products during the manufacturing process.

Real-time Visualization

The immediate representation of process data on the HMI, allowing operators to monitor and react to changes in real-time.

Recipes

Archive (file or database table) in which the parameters and set points of a product type are recorded.

Redundancy

The use of backup systems or components to ensure the reliability and availability of a SCADA system, reducing the risk of downtime.

Report

Summary statement of a collection of data arranged in columns, obtained with the calculator.

RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification)

Technology that uses wireless communication to identify and track objects or people, often used for inventory management and asset tracking.

RTU (Remote Terminal Unit)

A device that interfaces with sensors and actuators in the field, transmitting data to and receiving commands from the SCADA system.

SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)

A system that allows operators to monitor and control industrial processes through graphical user interfaces.

SCARA Robot (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm)

A type of industrial robot with two parallel joints for planar motion, commonly used in assembly and pick-and-place operations.

Scheduler

Component, or software, that manages the execution of a list of requests according to a time order.

SCM (Supply Chain Management)

The management of the entire production and distribution process, from raw materials to the final product.

Scripting

The ability to create custom scripts or programs to enhance the functionality and automation of an HMI interface.

Security Protocols

Measures and protocols implemented to protect industrial control systems from cyber threats.

Sensors and Actuators

Devices that measure physical quantities (sensors) or perform physical actions (actuators) in an industrial process.

Server

Physical device or computer system for processing and managing information traffic.

Servo Motors

Motors used for precise control of position, velocity, and acceleration in industrial automation applications.

SFC (Sequential Function Chart)

A graphical programming language for PLCs oriented to the description of logic-sequential control algorithms. It is one of the programming languages defined in the international standard.

ST (Structured Text)

One of five languages supported by the IEC 61131-3 standard, designed for programmable logic controllers (PLCs). It is a high-level block-structured language and syntactically similar to Pascal, on which it is based.

Supervisory Control

The capability of a SCADA system to control and manipulate industrial processes based on the data received from the field.

Tag

A unique identifier assigned to a data point in a SCADA system, representing a specific process variable or piece of equipment.

Telemetry

Computer technology that enables the measurement and transcription of Information of interest to the system designer or operator.

Touch Screen Interface

An HMI interface that allows operators to interact with the system by touching the screen, providing a more intuitive experience.

TTS (Text-To-Speech)

Speech synthesis software capable of converting text to speech.

User Authentication

The process of verifying the identity of users accessing the HMI system, ensuring secure and authorized interactions.

WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation)

Microsoft's proprietary .NET Framework class library used for developing the graphical user interface for applications in Windows environments

XAML (eXtensible Application Markup Language)

XML-based markup language, used to describe the graphical user interface of applications based on the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) library.

XML (eXtensible Markup Language)

Metalanguage for defining markup languages, which is a language based on a syntactic mechanism for defining and controlling the meaning of elements contained in a document or text.